If it's time for a new vehicle, but you don't know where to start, don't focus on the most exciting car you can find. Instead, research the most reliable car brands and decide on your new set of wheels that way. Doing this will likely save you significant cash in the long term.
Before buying your new car, it's essential to decide based on features such as safety, durability, and efficiency, as well as the obvious aesthetic choices like colour and design.
If you're ready to buy a vehicle in 2023 and want professional advice on the best vehicles on the market, read on to learn everything you need to know to get started.
What makes a car reliable?
All reliable cars have two things in common: they're easy to maintain and have high fuel efficiency. In other words, they're cheap to upkeep and get high miles per gallon, meaning you'll need to fill your car less often.
Reliable cars also have high-spec safety features to keep you and your passengers safe. Technologies to look out for include a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and collision avoidance systems, as well as the more common airbags and antilock brakes (ABS).
What factors should you consider before buying a new vehicle?
All potential car owners need to research the car market and consider their wants and needs before jumping into a car purchase - especially since you might need to take out a car loan to pay for it.
If you're considering purchasing a new vehicle, here are the main things you should consider:
Establish a budget
Cars are expensive, and can cost you a surprising amount after purchase. An important factor to consider before shopping for new cars is therefore your budget.
You should decide how much you can initially afford, whether that's an outright cost or a loan, and how much your new car will cost to maintain - including insurance, the fuel type, and regular servicing.
Read up on the most reliable cars
By reading this article you're on the right track! Make sure to research which cars are from a reliable brand to save yourself from painstaking repairs.
We recommend Toyota cars, which are generally regarded as the most reliable car brand.
Consider the amount of space you need
Cars come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Before making any decisions, consider how much space you need - for example, if you often drive alone, you might want to consider a small car. If you're a family of 4, a mid size car would be perfect for your needs.
Check the fuel efficiency
Making sure that your new car is fuel efficient stops you from paying more to make your car run. Generally speaking, you should be getting at least 23 miles per gallon (MPG) for your vehicle to be considered fuel efficient.
Even if you're only planning to use your car for daily driving, a highly efficient vehicle will save you money after every refill.
Research trade-in value
If you're replacing your current car, it's a smart idea to look up its trading value, so you have a better idea on what you can afford for your brand new car and what value depreciation you can expect in the future. Some vehicles hold their value better than others. For example, electric vehicles hold their value better as battery technology is still new and exciting.
If you're buying a new car but looking at an older model, we recommend also looking up its trading value. This way you know if your potential car holds its value - a good indicator of a car's reliability.
What are the most reliable car brands?
Some car brands are known to produce more dependable cars than others. If you're looking for a new car, here are the top four reliable car brands, according to consumer reports.
Toyota
Known as the most reliable car brand, Toyota builds all its cars by following total quality management (TQM). Toyota carefully monitors the manufacturing process during production to ensure the utmost quality.
While all car manufacturers pay attention to TQM, Toyota has built its entire brand around quality, putting the customer first, and continuously improving its cars through innovation. Toyota also prides itself on "complete participation", and all employees give consistent feedback on car quality. This was cemented when the company created the 'Creative Idea Suggestion System' in 1951, which helped encourage employees to contribute to Toyota's growth.
Lexus
Lexus is known as one of the most reliable car brands, and for good reason. Its quality of engines out-do most other cars on the market, running for well over 100,000 miles before Lexus cars encounter any issues. This isn't surprising, given that Toyota owns Lexus and uses the same principles when building vehicles.
Lexus is the number one luxury reliable car brand, with innovative new technologies constantly evolving the quality and dependability of its vehicles.
Mercedes Benz
We've all dreamed of owning a Mercedes Benz one day, but did you know it's one of the most reliable car manufacturers?
Mercedes cars perform excellently on the roads, reaching high speeds with little effort. Unlike similar luxury cars on the market, Mercedes ensure that every car model is as fuel efficient as possible, so you'll get more mileage from your vehicle and save significant cash in the long term. The car manufacturer also makes vehicles that withstand tough conditions and high mileage, so you won't need to take your car in for frequent services.
Safety is one of the most significant indicators of a reliable vehicle. Mercedes has developed a variety of features designed to protect the driver and the car itself. This includes designs like inbuilt cameras and built-in computer programmes.
Hyundai
Hyundai not only make dependable cars but guarantee all owners first-class loyalty like no other manufacturer on the market. Every car comes with a 5-year/60,000-mile warranty, so it'll charge you nothing to fix your vehicle in this period.
The Hyundai group is also a leading manufacturer of in-car technology, with features like gauge clusters and slick infotainments to give the driver a smooth and comfortable experience.
With excellent safety features, a sleek design, and market-leading warranties, Hyundai is one of the most reliable car brands available on the market.
What are the five most reliable cars (Australia) available in 2023?
If you're in the market for a new car in 2023, then look no further. Here are the top five most reliable vehicles available in Australia next year.
Toyota Corolla Hybrid
The Corolla is the highest-selling Toyota car thanks to its durability and sleek design. Car owners will be delighted to hear that Toyota is releasing its new Toyota Corolla Hybrid in 2023, implementing the best in hybrid electric technology.
Features include:
- An upgraded digital user experience.
- Improved battery mileage.
- Increased miles to the gallon.
The Toyota Corolla Hybrid is undoubtedly a dependable vehicle and one of the best cars in Australia to be released in 2023.
Prices start at around $28,130.
Lexus GX
The Lexus GX is one of the most powerful SUVs on the market, with a new 10-inch touchscreen and improved camera technology designed to improve on and off-road driving.
With a 4.6-litre V-8 engine, the Lexus GX can generate up to 301 horsepower, making it one of the fastest SUVs ever designed. Not only that, but its design makes it an attractive, powerful, and durable vehicle.
The Lexus GX is a 7-seater, making it a perfect family car.
Prices start at $87,500 on the Australian market.
Toyota Prius
The new 2023 Prius is part of Toyota's hybrid range, with a new high-spec exterior in the mono form style and features such as aerodynamic efficiency, a solar roof that generates enough power to drive for over 750 miles a year for free, and an enhanced digital driver's display complete with touchscreen dashboard.
As with all Toyotas, the 2023 Prius has optimal safety, with the first illuminated warning system, which alerts the driver to obstacles and gives audible warnings.
Prices start at $38,365.
Mazda MX-5 Miata
The Mazda MX-5 is an iconic car, with the first model released back in 1989. The 2023 model maintains its flawless coupé design but integrates a powerful 181-hp four-cylinder engine and a six-speed manual gearbox, making it fun to drive and handle.
Because of the MX-5's small size, it manages to maintain a high EPA fuel economy.
Prices start at $37,790 before on-road costs.
BMW 3 Series
The new BMW 3 Series maintains all the iconic characteristics of its counterparts but is injected with new technology like the new digital dashboard, which includes a navigation tool, voice assistant, and a 5G hotspot.
The new 3-series also comes with two high-powered gas engines, with up to 255 horsepower.
Prices start at $42,300 in Australia.
Are you interested in purchasing a used car instead?
If you'd rather spend your hard-earned money on a used car, you should always carry out a car history check. Carify is Australia's best-trusted car check service, allowing potential buyers to see a vehicle's entire history. We've given thousands the peace of mind they need to purchase a used car from previous owners.
In this article, we've explored the most reliable car brands - an attractive option if you choose to buy secondhand. For more help on your vehicle journey, check out our article '14 Bad Signs to Watch Out for When Buying Used Cars'.
